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Pennsylvania State Senate
05/20/2024 06:27 AM
Pennsylvania State Senate
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=S&SPick=20230&cosponId=42340
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Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 20, 2024 01:55 PM
From: Senator Nick Miller
To: All Senate members
Subject: Comprehensive Training for Housing Commissioners
 
In the near future, I will be introducing legislation implementing training practices for housing authority commissioners across the commonwealth.  Pennsylvania’s Housing Authorities Law is currently silent on ensuring that best practices in baseline and continuing education are in place for serving members.

As these commissioners comprise the governing body of our housing authorities, their critical local leadership enables a housing agency to fulfill its mission of providing attainable housing for members of the community. Trainings will help to ensure that commissioners are current on fundamentals such as fiscal management tools and fiduciary responsibility.  Effective training standards will better assist as they work closely with each executive director, their local officials and their community members at large. 
 
My legislation will propose the development of training standards encompassing the following areas:

Ethics, Right-to-Know Law, and open meetings;
Fair housing fundamentals and protections, reasonable accommodations, and prevention of hate, harassment and discriminatory practices;
Fiscal management, budgeting and capital planning;
Board governance best practices and fiduciary responsibilities;
Best practices relating to building code compliance, including the general inspection, maintenance and repair of units;
Strategies for crime prevention and substance use/mental health resources; and other topics deemed appropriate.
 
Our neighboring state, New Jersey, has had similar programming codified as their Local Housing Authority and Municipal Redevelopment Agency Training program requiring commissioners of local public housing authorities and redevelopment agencies to comprehensively gain critical skills and education.  These practices are overseen by their state’s Community Affairs Department and championed by the NJ National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NJNAHRO).

I invite you to join me in lending your support for this key piece of new legislation. Please reach out to my Harrisburg office with any related questions.